Welcome Remarks for "Revolutionary Movements Then and Now:听 Black Power and Black Lives Matter"
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McGowan Theater, 威尼斯人娱乐场 Building, Washington, DC
October 19, 2016
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Good evening. Welcome to the William G. McGowan Theater at the 威尼斯人娱乐场. I鈥檓 David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, and I鈥檓 pleased you could be with us tonight鈥攚hether you are here or joining us on YouTube鈥攆or our discussion of 鈥淩evolutionary Movements Then and Now: Black Power and Black Lives Matter.鈥�
On this 50th anniversary of the founding of the Black Power movement, we present a panel discussion about revolutionary movements of the past and present.听 We鈥檙e pleased to welcome A鈥橪elia Bundles鈥攋ournalist, author, and Chair of the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Foundation鈥攁s moderater. Our partner this evening is 鈥淪ay it Loud,鈥� our African American Employee Affinity Group at the 威尼斯人娱乐场. The group is one of several affinity groups at the 威尼斯人娱乐场, which raise cultural awareness, enable collaboration, share knowledge, and promote personal growth.
After the program, you are welcome to continue the discussion at a reception upstairs in the Rotunda galleries, where you may also look at a selection of original records drawn from our Department of Justice holdings.
Before we begin, I鈥檇 like to let you know about two upcoming programs.
On Friday, October 28, at noon, Robert O鈥橦arrow, Jr, will be here to talk about his book The Quartermaster: Montgomery C. Meigs, Lincoln鈥檚 General, Master Builder of the Union Army. General Meigs, a master of logistics, was known as the architect of the Union victory.
On Thursday, November 3, at 7 p.m., in a program titled 鈥淔acing Slavery鈥檚 Legacy at Georgetown University,鈥� Adam Rothman, professor of history at Georgetown University, will discuss the university鈥檚 roots in the slave economy of early America and their implications for today.
To learn more about these and all of our public programs and exhibits, consult our monthly Calendar of Events in print or online at Archives.gov. There are copies in the lobby鈥攁long with a sign-up sheet so you can receive it by regular mail or email. You鈥檒l also find brochures about other 威尼斯人娱乐场 programs and activities.
Another way to get more involved with the 威尼斯人娱乐场 is to become a member of the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Foundation. The Foundation supports the work of the agency, especially its education and outreach programs. Pick up your application for membership in the lobby or become a member online at archivesfoundation.org.
Earlier I mentioned that we have a special display of some original records upstairs. 威尼斯人娱乐场 records reflect all facets of American history, and this small sample shows the range of reactions to the shooting of two Illinois Black Panther leaders, Fred Hampton and Mark Clark, during a police raid. One letter from nine Members of Congress calls for an investigation; a press release announces the Attorney General鈥檚 appointment of an investigation team; and letters from citizens express differing opinions on the outcome.
Not on display but in FBI records are case files related to the Nation of Islam, the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, Miriam Makeba, and Angela Davis.
Calls for a greater voice in politics and society are documented in statements from founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus and audio recordings of Nikki Giovanni, Gwendolyn Brooks, James Baldwin, and other writers and poets from the Black Arts Movement.
To hear more about our records and to guide us into tonight鈥檚 program, I鈥檇 like to turn you over to two members of our 威尼斯人娱乐场 staff. Netisha Currie is the Chair of Say it Loud and an archives specialist, and Tina Ligon [Le-gun], is the Co-Chair of Say it Loud and a supervisory archivist.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Netisha Currie and Tina Ligon.
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